16:90 (Y. Ali) Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition.
2:177 (Y. Ali) It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin…

4:36 (Y. Ali) Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: For Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious.

Narrated Jubair bin Mut’im: That he heard the Prophet saying, “The person who severs the bond of kinship will not enter Paradise.”(Bukhari 8:73:13)

Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “Who ever is pleased that he be granted more wealth and that his lease of life be pro longed, then he should keep good relations with his Kith and kin.” (Bukhari 8:73:14)

Narrated Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) The Prophet said, “The word ‘Ar-Rahm’ (womb) derives its name from ‘Ar-Rahman’ (i.e. Allah). So whosoever keeps good relations with it (womb i.e. Kith and kin), Allah will keep good relations with him, and whosoever will sever it (i.e. severs his bonds of Kith and kin) Allah too will sever His relations with him. (Bukhari 8:73:18)

Narrated Abdullah bin ‘Amr: The Prophet said, “Al-Wasil(one who maintains good relations with his kin) is not the one who recompenses the good done to him by his relatives, but Al-Wasil is the one who keeps good relations with those relatives who had severed the bond of kinship with him.” (Bukhari 8:73:20)

Recipe for a happy family – Brother Bilal Danoun

Action Plan

When we say “family” we mean the traditional definition of it namely husband, wife and children. Grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins , in laws and other relatives are also part of the extended Muslim family.

1. Have at least one meal daily together as a family preferably supper/dinner – so you can catch up with each other.

2. Pray together -perform a salaah together as a family.

3. Learn something together i.e hadith, quran, arabic

4. Play board games or sport with each other.

5. Be loyal to each other, support each other and always consult the family when making big decisions.

6. Join a charity organisation and encourage the family to volunteer and assist with the cause.

7. Be nurturing to each other.Be able to communicate openly with respect to each other.

8. Set up family rules.

9. Ensure all the family chores are dealt with fairly.

10. Listen and understand each other.

Ideal Muslim home should be:

1. Simple and not ostentatious, for the Holy Prophet said: “Eat, drink, give sadaqah (charity) and wear good clothes as long as these things do not involve excess and arrogance.”

2. Clean, for the Noble Prophet said: “Cleanliness is part of faith.”

3. Free from statues or revolting pieces of art, for the Holy Prophet said, “God is beautiful and loves beauty.”

4. A place where there are the basic necessities of food and clothing; where meals are eaten together, and where there is hospitality and generosity.

5. A place where the greeting of Salaam (Peace) is heard at dawn and at night, and at times of going and coming.

6. A place where tenderness, love and mercy are the norm, for the Quran says: And we have made between you love and tenderness.

7. A place where the recitation of the Quran and the performance of salaat [prayers] is a daily occurrence, and where knowledge is imparted and pursued.

8. As a Muslim, one is required to maintain a close and caring relationship with one’s relatives. According to the Holy Prophet, one is required to visit relatives, inquire about their circumstances, spend on them, and give them sadaqah (charity) if they so deserve.